Chapter 103: The Shadow Master
Zhang Yunlin clung desperately to Yun Ketian’s leg, wailing loudly. At first, his worst fear was merely being dismissed from his post, perhaps detained for a few months at most—that would have been the end of it. But now, the situation was entirely different. He had crossed the son of the top official in the Northwest; this meant he was truly doomed to rot behind bars.
Yun Ketian kicked Zhang Yunlin aside and said coldly, “Don’t worry. I’m not as reckless as you, abusing my power. Your case will be handled as it should.”
Hearing this, Zhang Yunlin finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as this man didn’t mean to ruin him deliberately, there was still a chance for survival. His crime—abuse of power—would, after due process, likely result in dismissal and detention. If worse came to worst, a few years in prison would still be preferable to a lifetime behind bars.
At that moment, Liu Mingtian, standing nearby, noticed Yun Ketian relaxing his stance and immediately called out, “Inspector Wang, take them back for processing.”
“Yes, sir.”
The captain of the inspection team acknowledged and, with his subordinates, moved forward to force Zhang Yunlin and the two junior traffic officers into a vehicle. The young officer who had wet himself was already trembling and unable to walk, so he was carried onto the vehicle.
The inspection team’s vehicle roared away, carrying the three officers.
Liu Mingtian then approached Yun Ketian with a kindly tone. “Ketian, I’m sorry. To think my men would do such things—it’s truly a disgrace. If your father knew, I would lose all face.”
Yun Ketian smiled lightly. “When a team grows large, it’s inevitable there are some bad apples. Uncle Liu, you needn’t take it personally. I won’t tell my father about this.”
“Ha ha, good, good. Are these gentlemen your friends?” Liu Mingtian asked, beaming now that Yun Ketian was giving him face, turning to greet Lu Ming and the others warmly.
Yun Ketian nodded. “Yes.”
Knowing Lu Ming preferred to keep a low profile, he refrained from offering further introductions.
Liu Mingtian shook hands with Lu Ming and the others with a broad smile and personally apologized before bidding Yun Ketian farewell and leaving with his secretary.
As soon as Liu Mingtian departed, Lu Ming’s expression darkened as he glared at Qin Lan. She immediately adopted an innocent look.
Meanwhile, Yu Bai and Sheng Siyu stared at Lu Ming in astonishment, unable to look away.
Lu Ming’s influence was simply overwhelming—he seemed to command both black and white. Even the director of the Traffic Department treated him with such deference, personally attending to his affairs. It was extraordinary.
Lu Ming shot Qin Lan a fierce glare before saying, “We’ll deal with you when we get back.”
Then, turning to Yu Bai and Sheng Siyu, he said, “Sorry to keep you waiting. Let me escort you back.”
Only then did the two regain their composure, exhaling deeply as they walked toward Lu Ming’s car.
Suddenly, a shadow appeared before them like a ghost.
Lu Ming’s brow furrowed sharply.
Qin Lan pointed and said, “It’s him.”
Lu Ming lifted his gaze abruptly to the shadow not far away.
The figure was cloaked in a black hooded robe, completely enveloping head and body, concealing all features.
Yu Bai and Sheng Siyu were startled, halting their steps toward the car.
Lu Ming slowly said to Qin Lan, “Protect them.”
Qin Lan immediately moved beside Yu Bai and Sheng Siyu, shielding them and Yun Ketian behind her.
Only then did Lu Ming inquire, “Is he the one who injured you?”
Qin Lan nodded. “Yes. His attire matches, and his aura is consistent.”
“Good. I was wondering how to find him, and now he’s come to me,” Lu Ming muttered as he advanced toward the shadow.
Suddenly, the shadow flickered and vanished in place.
Everyone was momentarily stunned—until the shadow reappeared behind Lu Ming, brandishing a long blade and slashing down like lightning.
“Watch out!”
The group shouted in unison, alarmed by the shadow’s elusive movements.
At the instant the shadow vanished, Lu Ming began turning around, golden flames igniting along his arms.
His left hand reached out to grab the blade while his fist thundered into the shadow’s chest.
The shadow twisted the blade, slicing across Lu Ming’s arm with a sharp clang before disappearing again.
Lu Ming’s punch struck only air, and he was equally surprised.
Though the move seemed simple, it incorporated divine combat techniques—exquisitely refined. Few could evade such a strike, yet the shadow slipped away effortlessly.
As Lu Ming pondered this, the shadow reappeared on his left, slashing toward his waist.
Lu Ming spun sharply, delivering a punch that struck the blade.
The weapon rebounded, and the shadow vanished once more.
But instantly, the shadow materialized on his right, thrusting the blade toward Lu Ming’s vital spot.
Lu Ming turned swiftly to block with another punch, and the shadow disappeared again.
In the blink of an eye, they exchanged over a dozen moves, yet Lu Ming never managed to touch the shadow’s robes.
Seeing the shadow disappear again, Lu Ming sneered and activated his Eye of Insight.
Through this divine vision, he realized the shadow was constantly circling him.
The speed was so tremendous that normal eyes couldn’t keep up, making the figure seem to vanish—only visible when attacking.
Lu Ming was astonished. The speed alone qualified the shadow as a grandmaster, undeniably formidable.
But Lu Ming himself was no ordinary opponent, wielding the Eye of Insight and immense strength.
With the Eye of Insight, the shadow’s rapid movements were traceable.
After several unsuccessful attempts, the shadow ceased attacking directly, instead darting swiftly around Lu Ming, seemingly waiting for him to make a mistake.
Yun Ketian, Yu Bai, Sheng Siyu, and Qin Lan all began to worry for Lu Ming.
The shadow’s skills were baffling—impossible to guard against.
Suddenly, Lu Ming struck out fiercely, his fist trailing a streak of light, smashing down three feet before the shadow.
“Bang!”
A crisp sound rang out as the shadow crossed the blade horizontally to block the blow.
Lu Ming sneered, channeling more power into his fist.
The blade shattered into fragments and flew aside, and Lu Ming’s fist crashed into the shadow’s body.
The shadow was hurled backward by the impact.
Without pause, Lu Ming closed the distance with long strides, delivering two more consecutive punches.
“Bang! Bang!”
The shadow took two more blows.
After three punches, the shadow’s elusive tactics faltered, and he was sent crashing to the ground.
Lu Ming approached and yanked off the hood, revealing an unremarkable face.
At that moment, the shadow leapt up suddenly, palm aimed at Lu Ming’s throat.
Lu Ming was taken aback. Despite being struck by three powerful punches fueled by his mighty Dragon Force, this man still had the strength to counterattack—unexpected indeed.
Lu Ming sidestepped the palm strike, but the shadow launched a flurry of rapid attacks with hands and feet.
Every strike targeted Lu Ming’s vital points, each a lethal blow delivered with terrifying speed.
The shadow’s martial art surpassed that of an ordinary grandmaster, displaying a highly advanced level.
From the techniques, it was clear he practiced deadly moves designed solely to kill—fierce and merciless.
However, Lu Ming possessed divine combat skills and a second consciousness that evolved ceaselessly.
His understanding and application of martial arts improved daily, reaching an ineffable mastery.
Without his near-instantaneous teleportation, the shadow could not match Lu Ming’s prowess.
Neither retreated; within a confined space, they engaged in fierce combat.
Their moves grew ever more vicious and exquisite—each strike, palm, knee, elbow, or headbutt was a weapon in itself.
Qin Lan watched solemnly, her face tense with concern.
She could tell the shadow was exceptionally strong—stronger than the previous Lu Ming.
Yet this Lu Ming was a world apart from before; his martial arts flowed like clouds and water, seemingly effortless and reaching an indescribable realm.